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Safe & Effective Use of Self

The relationship between the psychotherapist and the client is the essential element in facilitating change and healing. The therapist use of self in therapy would impact not only the flow and the effectiveness of the therapeutic process, but more significantly, the clients’ psychological well-being. At the same time the clients’ reaction and issues can be a trigger for the therapist and evoke the kind of reaction that could put the therapist at risk of burn out and/or bring out responses that could be contrary to the professional ethnical standards. Therapist use self in therapy is considered as one of the core competencies by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) as stated in the following:

One of the defining competencies of psychotherapy practice, Safe and Effective Use of Self refers to the therapist’s learned capacity to understand his or her own subjective context and patterns of interaction as they inform his or her participation in the therapeutic relationship with the client. It also speaks to the therapist’s self-reflective use of his or her personality, insights, perceptions, and judgments in order to optimize interactions with clients in the therapeutic process.

Drawing from a trans-theoretical model that is grounded in research and practice, this 4-day intensive training workshop on Safe and Effective Use of Self is for therapists from diverse professional training backgrounds and practice experiences. The goal of the workshop is using a strength based experiential approach to develop and enhance competencies in the therapist use of self in psychotherapy. This workshop will cover topics identified by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) including:

• The influence of the therapist’s personal family history and dynamics on therapist use of self in therapy
• Diversity and anti-oppression practice
• Power dynamics in therapeutic relationship
• Relational boundaries and therapist self-disclosure
• Awareness of the subjective experience in the client role through experiential practice as client
• Interpersonal effectiveness and means to address therapeutic alliance ruptures

Learning is a collaborative and self-discovery process. The workshop consists of power point presentations, therapy DVDs, case presentations, and role plays; and most of all, conversations and discussions.

Dr. Kenneth Kwan, Ph.D., RMFT, C.Psych. is the Founder and Executive Director/Chief Psychologist of Oshawa Psychological & Counselling Services, Woodbine Psychological & Counselling Services, and Oshawa Psychotherapy Training Institute. He is a registered psychologist in clinical and counselling psychology, a registered marriage and family therapist, an approved supervisor with the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT), and a registered sex therapist and an approved supervisor with the Board of Examiners in Sex Therapy & Counselling in Ontario (BESTCO). He has about 30 years of clinical practice experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

Dr. Kwan has also provided extensive clinical training within the academic arena both as a lecturer and clinical supervisor. Dr. Kwan has been a sessional lecturer, an associate graduate faculty member and clinical supervisor with both the Counselling Psychology, and School and Clinical Child Psychology programs at OISE, University of Toronto, and adjunct professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). He was an adjunct professor with the Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.

Dr. Kwan has taught assessment & intervention of suicidal behaviours incorporating evidence-based therapeutic intervention strategies, information from current literature in Suicidology; and relevant ethical considerations as part of a graduate level course as well as in-service training to various organizations and mental health professionals.

Oshawa Psychotherapy Training Institute is the training arm of a larger organization, Oshawa Psychological & Counselling Services that offers the most current training in the field of psychotherapy with a clinician-centred focus, meeting the complex practice needs of mental health practitioners. We are approved by the CPA to offer courses in various individual, couple, and family psychotherapy models, addressing a wide range of topics that clinicians may encounter in their practice. We are located in Oshawa, near Toronto, Ontario and also serve Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Peterborough and surrounding communities.